Getting the Best Out of Your Social Media/Networking Avatars

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:16:50 +0000

With the rise in Social Media Networking, it has become very important to have several photos that you can use as your profile picture (your “avatar”). This is the image that everyone first sees when your profile appears in a search, or when viewing your personal page. Every social networking site uses them. Profile pictures allow someone searching you to confirm they have chosen the right person. (Think of someone searching for Tim Hill—there are many Tim Hill’s in the world, and many of us are photographers.)

I believe it is best to have a portfolio of images you can use on the varying sites. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter all have different audiences and different “feels.” I think it is best to have a professional look to your LinkedIn profile, and something that shows more of your own personality on Facebook and Twitter.

Keep in mind that while Facebook and Twitter are not geared strictly for “doing business,” you should have a presence on each. On these sites, you really want to appear approachable. Personality is everything on these sites.

Below are a few examples of photos I have used on different sites this past year:

Tim Hill

What to wear…hmmm

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:30:54 +0000

Things here are starting to get into full summer swing–that is to say, my busy season has started (woo hoo!). Now I find myself getting a lot of questions about what to wear for headshots. Below is a guide that I share with my clients. These are my thoughts for what will produce a long lasting shot.

Keep in mind that classics and solids will:
1) read better in a photograph
2) will not look dated after a year or so.

Also consider how much/what parts of the outfit will actually be seen in the photograph. You
would be surprised at how many clients pick headshot outfits by what something looks like on
their waist. Unless we are doing 3/4 body shots or full body shots, you won’t see the waist–
just the upper 1/4 of the top.

Finally, bring a couple (or more) outfits–some dressier, some more casual. This way you can
have a variety of looks to use. Sometimes it can be surprising what really looks amazing on
you.

Clothing should be simple and not detract from your eyes.
- Avoid wearing large or excessive jewelry.
- Bring clothes you feel comfortable in and fit you well.
- Bring different necklines so we can choose the most flattering.
- Black is okay.
- Solid colors work better than patterns or prints.
- Colors darker than your skin tone tend to look best.
- Bring jeans or pants for 3/4 shots.

Stay away from:
-plaids
-shirts with logos/insignias
-shirts with holes in them!
-“worn” looking clothes (the newer the clothes, the better)
-your dad’s golf shirt

My Blog » what to wear on your photo shoot

Getting the Best Out of Your Social Media/Networking Avatars

What to wear…hmmm